Shanghai Modern in Melbourne

Melbourne restaurateur David Zhou grew up in the heart of Shanghai (on the busy Nanjing Road, to be precise). While the city might be noted for its glimmering modern skyscrapers, it's the comfort food of the old Shanghai and surrounding countryside that Zhou recreates in his popular namesake restaurant, David's in Prahran, a suburb of Melbourne. After 15 years in business, Zhou enlisted design firm Hecker Guthrie to overhaul the restaurant's interior, replacing the predictable dashes of Chinese red and gilded touches with a modern whitewashed space. For more, go to David's .
Photography by Shannon Mcgrath .
Above: The decor comprises of simple pieces of Chinese furniture stacked in piles.
Above: A mix of painted metal chairs with repurposed wood seats.
Above: Paper lanterns echo traditional Chinese lanterns.
Above: The former warehouse space was washed in white paint, including the wood beamed ceiling.
Above: Hecker Guthrie pared the space down to its essential elements.
Above: Blue and white china references traditional Chinese ceramics.
Above: The newly painted exterior to David's restaurant.
Looking for more food in Melbourne? Check out our post on Modern Mexican in Melbourne .